Benalmadena, Holiday Village Apartments

well I'm gobsmacked! The hotel holiday village is my second favourite holiday(nothIng can beat Orlando Florida!) but I went in 2009 was brill for me I'm 13 not really bothered bout family holidays but this one was just crazy fun I wernt bored once xx I'm going again in 3weeks and I'm so so excited a 4star hotel it should stay I don't think it can reach a 5 as the only thing that was not that good is that It lacked a bit on staff for snack bars but it was a truly stunning holiday xx if you have kids go there! If you want a relaxing holiday dont bother I'm really shocked that people have put bad comments coz this really is a jaw-dropping experience!!! it's so open also if you want your privacy you got it it's just great! the beach is not too far away Either! I usually think kids club is pointless but when you doing it you can see you children completing the tasks I have some pretty horrendous pictures of me doing that ! to be honest dont listen to people that thinks it's bad because it's not it's beautiful and and fun packed holiday! if you are going I recommend it and also go all inclusive it works out cheaper! :) xx

the only reason i decided to write my review is because my mum and sister have just booked a last minute deal to somewhere else in spain and asked me to have a look at the reviews for it, i then had to tell them the upsetting news that it had nothing nice said about it and as i went to the holiday village in june and have already rebooked for next year i decided to have a look at what other people thought and was actually quite shocked that anybody could say a bad word about the holiday village. my husband and i got married in barbados in a well known all inclusive resort and i would put the holiday village in par with it, it was wonderful, and we loved it so much that we are going back for 10days next year with my parents and my sister and her family and we cant wait. i have 3 boys of 8,6, and 2 and i never once heard them say they were bored, it is the cleanest place i have ever been, cleaners actually clearing up around your feet while you sunbathed, the food was amazing, my husband was having about 4 different meals every evenning so you have to be careful not to pile on to much weight, the rooms were spotlessly clean and we only went for a week but didnt leave the hotel at all as there was so much to do. the only negative is the supermarket onsite should be renamed harrods as its very pricey. all in all we had thetime of ourlives and i cant wait to go back and i think anybody who can complain about it must be used to the ritz and places like that. i will also say that the majority of people we met were on there 2nd or 3rd holidays there so thats always a good sign. enjoy your holiday you will love it xxxxxx

We stayed here with our three children aged 9, 8 and 6 from the 18/5 to the 25/5/10 and were A.I. having booked through First Choice. It was our first time abroad as a family and we all loved it and wished we had booked for longer than a week. The check in process took no more than 10 mins and was a simple matter of filling in the normal hotel type check in form and either giving in your credit card details as there is a 100 Euro deposit required in case of breakages etc or presumably handing over the cash it does mention this in the brochure or on the website). We arrived at the hotel around midday and our rooms were ready so it was a matter of dumping the cases, a quick change and off to the pool. We were on the 5th floor (the top one). The numerous lifts all have one glass wall so might not be ideal for anyone a little wary of heights if above the 1st floor. Our room had a pool view which normally incurs an extra charge but we had not asked for one specifically. The other option would appear to be a nice mountain view in the distance and this would not have bothered us really. The room had a very large bathroom incl 2 sinks, bath with shower, separate enclosed shower, bidet (much to the amusement of the children !), they all have a hairdryer, and more than enough towels which along with the bedding were changed daily. The kitchen was of an adequate size and had a fridge containing two bottles of water, a bottle of coke and orange juice which were also replenished daily. The main bedroom had two double beds, the safe (chargable if required) and more than sufficient wardrobe space. The children had the sofa in the living room which folded down so two could sleep and we had also provided a fold down bed. The balcony was also more than adequate size wise. The room had a T.V (remote via deposit at reception but no money was req to be handed over as charged to cr card if not returned). Room also had air con. The pool at its deepest was 1.95m and had sloping shallow ends. There were always at least three lifeguards on duty who were very attentive. No balls or inflatable lilos etc are allowed in the main pool, only in the separate baby pool. There were always more than enough sunbeds with space for more if req in high season. This then meant no reserving them which isnt allowed anyway before 0900 as per the notices. The Beach Club is accessed via a bridge which crosses over the road and is about a 6-10 min stroll from the main pool. It cannot be accessed by anyone not staying in the hotel. This is were the large donuts can be hired for use on the three water slides and in the wave pool (10 euros for three payable plus a 30 euro refundable deposit). The wave pools current is strong and it stays on for about 20 mins each time and there are sufficient verbal warnings given prior to it being switched on. Again, as per the main pool, there are a sufficient number of lifeguards on hand. Breakfast and evening meals are taken in the main restaurant. You are initially shown to your table by the staff and then you are free to help yourself as many times as you want. We could not fault at all both the range, taste and quality of the food. For breakfast, there was a choice of numerous cereals, fresh fruit of all varieties, pastries including croissants, fresh meats and cheeses and of course bacon, sausage, black pudding, tomatoes etc etc. Eggs were either fried or scrambled or hard boilded and if you wanted the chef would prepare a fresh omlette with your chosen ingreidients while you wait. Toast was available via the self service toasters and tea/coffee available via machines (but not the vending type machines !) along with orange or pineapple juice. Evening meal was the same set up but staff would ask what you would like to drink and bring it to your table. There were themed nights incl Caribbean and Spanish and those who like fish cooked a lot of times right in front of you won't be disappointed ! there were numerous meat dishes and food of all varities too mumerous to mention here and alway a "kiddies corner" consisting of the usual. This resort caters in all aspects mainly for a U.K market so those not as adventourous with their food as us won't be disapointed either as there was a good choice of more recognisable dishes. Lunch is either taken at the restaurant at the Beach Club and is a similar set up to that already stated or by the main pool were there is a variety of snacks incl toasties, pizza, burgers, hot dogs, chips, chicken wings. There are two bars by the main pool incl the one serving the snacks, and two inside incl the one by the evening entertainment area (which moved outdoors the day we were leaving). Alcoholic drinks are local produce (the beer is Cruzcampo and v. nice) and to be honest my wife and I couldn't taste the difference anyway between the spirits! The staff incl those First Choice staff who run the kids clubs were great but go A.I as would be v. pricey otherwise.

It the kids are your priority, the Holiday Village Costa del Sol is a superb choice. If you care more about your own enjoyment than your kids, go somewhere else. Went in 2009 - superb. Activities great from morning to night, room great, good size, clean (apart from balcony). I think self catering was a good choice for young kids who are a bit limited in appetite. Used the poolside bar for lunches, checked la Perla restaurant menu each evening and if it suited we bought in. If it didn't, we ordered a taxi and headed out.

Very orderly - no outdoor noise problems at night. Trains ran close to complex but hardly noticed them. Downsides - (1) air conditioning not great. Couldn't get room temp below 32c for the first few days although it did improve afer I heard another customer complain about it and told reception that I had come equipped with digital thermometer and the customer was right (2) remote, nearest shops are beyond walking distance (3) supermarket expensive and had the tendancy to "accidentally" overcharge until they realised you were on to them (4) glass balconies and lifts are NOT for the nervous, particularly if you find yourself on floors 3 - 6 (5) apartment interior kept clean, but balcony not cleaned once in 2 weeks. For the safety of the kids we did it ourselves.

As mentioned previously - this place is about the kids and the fun the kids have by far outweighs any of the downsides.

we have not long left the holiday village on the 20th october 09 we had a lovely time i have two children 5 and 4 yrs the kids clubs of the evening were fab the children loved it playing games as well as learnin, it has got everything u need and so glad we went all inclusive friendly staff good food,a maid cleans ur room everyday plus fresh towels everyday,a good service over all, would recommend it and go again well worth the money even considering goin again in high season only 1 thing wrong is the 100euro refundable deposit but its ok if u give ur bank details instead.

just back from holiday village,worst food ever,staff far from freindly and food was horrible, what no one tells you it quite a bit a way from any shop. the cleaners arerubbish and the balcony,s are full of pigeon poo.they were never cleaned,one good point was that my son of 5years loved it but i will never be back near any of these places again,we were all inclusive.and it was nt worth the money.im not just being crumpy im just telling you my findings.and the truth

i thought the 'hotel holiday village' in costa del sol- benalmadema was brilliant for the whole family. my child loved chilrens club. which are forr all ages which i thought was really good. loads to do on the complex. was really clean and all the the staff were lovely and polite. the entertainment was brilliant and the whole family was entertained. the weather was lovely butt when it rained the hotel opened the childrens club for longer so the kids did not get bored which i thought was great. the irish bar in the complex was brilliant for the adults for a few drinks, quiz and dance etc. definately go on this holiday again next year and have already recommened it to friends and they have booked. we were self catering and had to catch the bus into town everynight for a meal which i didnt really like butt it was only a ten minute journey so i suppose it was ok. i think there should be more restraunts closer to the complex but over all a brilliant holiday definately going again.

Hello all,

just come back from holiday village in holiday world,

would NOT reconmend going here if

1.no kids,

2.dont like cold swimming pools,

3.if you like to eat

4.low on spending money

this hotel caters for kids only! hardly if any adult entertainment, swimming pools were freezing okay cant help that but they were a wee bit cold,

FOOD!!!!!!!!!!!! GO SELF CATERING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

and make sure you have cab fare its a fare old walk....

diaria in the swimming pool, a really big lay out of unfresh salad every day. CHICKEN discusting (green).

Money.

once here you will need money for deposite on remote, rubber rings, towels etc.

drinks are expensive 3.80 for half a glass of cola. date 14-20th sep 09

this is an expensive unentertaining complex. would not reccommend this to any one without kids or have real young kids.

just came back from holiday in the holiday village. it was a fantastic place which catered for all age groups. the pool area is the best I hav ever seen. the appartments are very spacious. the balcony area also very big. only criticsm shop bit on expensive side. we went self catering so travelled on the bus every evening to dine. bus service provided at the gate. would def go again.

we have just arrived back from Holiday Village Apartments and we are still ill with stomach bugs our 2 little boys were ill for 5days food horrible kids reps fantastic other reps false. hotel lovely needs a lick of paint in rooms the cleaners not very good evening entertainment rubbish what they dont say is you need loads of money for bikes and trampolines that cost 2euros pp not worth the money quite a few people were complaining.